On the second day of the Tbilisi Grand Slam 2026, the script flipped. After a European sweep of the women’s podiums on day one, Saturday, 21 March, saw Europe’s men take centre stage, dominating the final block with authority. In total, the continent secured 13 of the 16 medals on offer. Here is your European highlight from day two.
-63kg category: World Champions in Action
The battle for bronze began with Gaëtane Deberdt (FRA) taking on Kaja Kajzer (SLO). Despite Deberdt’s persistence, she was unable to break through and was ultimately countered, allowing Kajzer to take the medal. In the second bronze contest, Iva Oberan (CRO) faced Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo (MGL). The bout appeared destined for golden score but with only seconds remaining, Oberan seized a narrow opportunity to score yuko and secure her place on the podium.
All eyes then turned to a final of the highest calibre, featuring two world champions: Haruka Kaju (JPN) and Joanne Van Lieshout (NED).
Van Lieshout received an early shido for stepping outside the contest area, followed soon after by a second penalty for passivity. Struggling to find her rhythm and consistently trailing her opponent, the Dutch judoka found herself under mounting pressure. As the final minute approached, a third penalty sealed her fate, handing victory to Kaju. Remarkably, Kaju has now competed in seven IJF or continental events and has taken gold at every single one, a record that continues to underline her dominance.
-73kg category: Valeriani’s Masterclass
Muhammad Demirel (TUR) and Giorgi Loladze (GEO) opened the medal contests in front of an increasingly vocal crowd. Demirel struck first but the Georgian support quickly lifted Loladze. Driven by the atmosphere, he executed a powerful lifting technique in true Georgian fashion to score ippon and turn the contest decisively in his favour. It was a bronze medal earned with both skill and spirit.
In the second bronze contest, Hidayat Heydarov (AZE) met Anton Shuhalieiev (ESP). The fight proved physically demanding, with Heydarov eventually securing the medal after a hard-fought effort. It may not have been his most fluid performance but it reinforced his resilience and ability to deliver under pressure. Valuable mat time gained and another podium finish secured.
The final brought together Leonardo Valeriani (ITA) and Valtteri Olin (FIN). For much of the contest, the balance remained unbroken, until a transition to groundwork shifted the momentum. Valeriani displayed outstanding control, isolating the arm for a juji-gatame attempt, transitioning smoothly into osae-komi before returning to the arm to force the submission. A sequence of technical clarity that culminated in gold for Italy.
-70kg category: Fourth Gold for Taimazova
This category delivered both intensity and unpredictability, beginning with the early elimination of top seed Lara Cvjetko (CRO). By the time the final block began, Ida Eriksson (SWE) and Tais Pina (POR) were set for the first bronze medal contest. It unfolded as a long and tactical encounter, with Eriksson ultimately prevailing through composure and control.
The second bronze contest saw Shiho Tanaka (JPN) face Aleksandra Andric (SRB). Much like the first, it was a contest dictated by strategy, with Tanaka executing a measured performance to claim the medal.
From the bottom half of the draw, Aoife Coughlan (AUS) advanced with consistency and determination to reach the final, where she met Olympic medallist Madina Taimazova (RUS), who had dominated the top half. Known for her composure under pressure, Taimazova proved difficult to break down. She secured the decisive score with a yuko from a backward-driven seoi-otoshi and maintained control to the end, claiming her fourth Grand Slam gold medal.
-81kg category: Albayrak’s Remarkable Come Back
European athletes were once again prominent in this division. In the first bronze medal contest, Mihajlo Simin (SRB) faced Timo Cavelius (GER). A well-timed ko-uchi-gari earned Simin a yuko, which proved enough to secure the medal.
The second bronze contest between Matthias Casse (BEL) and Dimitri Gochilaidze (GEO) was a fiercely contested affair. Neither judoka gave ground but Casse eventually broke through with a powerful kata-guruma, initially awarded ippon before being downgraded to waza-ari. From there, he managed the contest effectively to take bronze.
The final featured Vedat Albayrak (TUR) against Mykhailo Svidrak (UKR) in a contest defined by strength and relentless exchanges. For almost four minutes, Svidrak held the advantage and appeared on course for gold, resisting continuous pressure. However, in the closing seconds, during an intense close-range exchange, Albayrak found his moment, scoring waza-ari to turn the contest around and claim victory in dramatic fashion. A remarkable comeback to conclude a gripping final.
The medal standings reflect the impressive form of the European contingent. Israel leads the table with two gold, one silver and one bronze medal. Russia follows with one gold, one silver and three bronzes, while France sits in third place with one gold and one bronze.
Tune in to JudoTV to follow the final day of competition as the action in Tbilisi reaches its conclusion.
Source: IJF/Nicolas Messner
Author: EJU Media